A future restored: one patient’s path to recovery after a traumatic injury

At 81 years young, Leo “Buddy” Pergson shows the world that living a fulfilling life is possible after a traumatic spinal cord injury. 

On July 11, 1961, a swim diving accident at Kern River resulted in Buddy acquiring a severe spinal cord injury that forever changed his life. At just seventeen, doctors told Buddy and his family that the accident not only left him with loss of function in all four limbs, but that Buddy would likely not survive the next three months. 

Despite the odds, Buddy’s condition stabilized. While healing in a community hospital, one of his fellow patients suggested Casa Colina Hospital and Centers for Healthcare as a next step on his path to recovery. 

“There’s more to Casa Colina than you can imagine,” said Buddy, reminiscing on his nearly year-long stay in Casa Colina’s rehabilitation center. “It was a godsend.” 

The contrast between his first hospital stay and Casa Colina was stark: according to Buddy, Casa Colina’s facilities impressed him. “The hallways were so beautiful, so clean,” he said. 

Aside from the nice amenities and “put together” care teams, what stood out to him the most was the transformative rehabilitative treatment he received during his stay. He attributes his improved health to the friendships forged with other patients, and the phenomenal doctors, nurses, and therapists who tended to him and provided care every day. 

“[Casa Colina] treated the patients like people willing to work hard to recover,” said Buddy. This inspiring change in treatment cemented Buddy’s belief that he could live a fulfilled life after his traumatic injury, so long as he continued working hard to recover and remained optimistic.  

The new level of intensive treatment empowered Buddy, and he saw tremendous improvement in his overall health. His time was spent working closely with Casa Cilina’s team of therapists doing stretches 3 times a day and refining his motor skills by repeating finger exercises and fitting pegs on a board. The first time he set his feet back on the ground was in the old halls of Casa Colina, holding onto a set of parallel bars and taking one shaky step after another. Nearly a year after first entering Casa Colina, he felt ready to take charge over the next phase of his life. 

“I [was] gone,” he said, laughing when reflecting on his eagerness to return home after receiving the all-clear to leave. “[But] all these years later, [I’m] glad that Casa Colina really saved my life.” 

Though he still considers Casa Colina his second home and cherishes the relationships he built there, Buddy felt excited to take the lessons he learned and structure a new life for himself. 

Returning home presented many new challenges, but the tremendous strength and support from his family and loved ones enabled him to overcome them all. In particular, he said the love from his mother instilled in him a belief that never giving up would be the key to his success.  

In spite of the new hurdles that he faced, Buddy persevered in creating a life that he loves dearly. Attending college, getting married, raising a “miracle” child, and working in various jobs; these accomplishments were feats that once seemed impossible 64 years ago. Buddy eventually wrote and published a book that documented his life and legacy. He hopes that it is a testament to his own resilience and is a source of inspiration to others who heal and live with a traumatic spinal cord injury. 

Today, Buddy will proudly share how his time at Casa Colina helped him regain a sense of independence and re-engage with life after a traumatic injury. With numerous advancements in healthcare and technology made over more than half a century, he’s hopeful that patients today are more likely to build a future filled with hope. 

“[I want to see] something better for someone else going through the same thing,” he said. 

Buddy’s story serves as a testament that life doesn’t stop after a traumatic injury or illness.  He currently resides in Willows, CA, where he is surrounded by a loving wife, an adult child, three grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. Despite the odds, Buddy persevered and created a life he loves, and thanks Casa Colina for supporting him every step of the way.